An electric dual-cab ute has finally been confirmed for launch in Australia but the vehicle will be one of a kind.
Toyota on Tuesday revealed plans to test a battery-electric ute prototype, with the HiLux double-cab vehicle to be driven at BHP's Port Hedland facility in Western Australia.
The announcement comes weeks after a parliamentary inquiry on the transition to electric vehicles heard calls for more low-emission ute options, and as Ford prepares to show off its first plug-in hybrid ute in Australia.
The Japanese automaker's latest electric transport trial would start in late November, Toyota Australia chief executive Matthew Callachor said, and would run for a year.
The trial will be the second electric vehicle test Toyota has conducted with BHP after it used a LandCruiser 70 Series electric ute in 2021.
"When we do something, we want to make sure we do it right," Mr Callachor said.
"Joining with BHP to help further develop this HiLux prototype is an important step in creating low-emission technologies in the light-vehicle space, particularly for use in harsh and demanding mining environments."
The test will come more than a year after Toyota signed an agreement with the mining giant to develop decarbonisation measures, and BHP Australia president Geraldine Slattery said the test could have implications for the future of its light-vehicle fleet.
"We look forward to putting the battery-electric HiLux through its paces and seeing the potential it can bring, not only to reduce diesel use in mining but eventually for all HiLux drivers too," she said.
"Our ambition to electrify our light vehicle fleet and lower greenhouse gas emissions across our operations depends on enabling technology that can only be achieved through collaborations like this."
Toyota has been comparably slow to offer battery-powered vehicles in Australia, launching its first electric SUV, the BZ4X, in February.
But electric and plug-in hybrid electric utes have been slow to arrive in Australia from any brand - a point raised by groups including the Motor Trades Association and Mitsubishi at the parliamentary electric vehicle inquiry this month.
Ford Australia has announced it wil bring the plug-in hybrid electric version of its Ranger ute to display at two local events before its 2025 launch, however.
The vehicle would be on show at Mobility Live in Melbourne this week and the Sydney International EV Show in November, Ford electric vehicles general manager Myles Hartley said.
"It's really important that fleets wanting to decarbonise have access to vehicles that allow them to continue doing their work," he said.
